Milk will be provided in regions that are home to milk farms.Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government intends to push the inclusion of milk in meal packages provided under the Free Nutritious Meals program only in dairy-producing regions and their surrounding areas, according to the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).
"Milk will be provided in regions that are home to milk farms," BGN head Dadan Hindayana informed in Jakarta on Monday.
He emphasized that the government will not insist on including milk in the nutritious menu in regions that lack the requisite resources.
"Regions with no dairy cow farms or those located far from such farms should not be forced to provide milk. We can simply substitute milk with eggs or kelor leaves," he said, referring to moringa oleifera.
The official also informed that his agency plans to prioritize the procurement of pasteurized milk for the Free Nutritious Meals program.
Earlier on October 29, 2024, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Sudaryono, said he had advised the BGN against designating milk as a mandatory item in meals provided under the flagship program of President Prabowo Subianto's administration.
"Considering our insufficient production of milk, we have urged the National Nutrition Agency against forcing the inclusion of milk in the program," he added in Jakarta.
Sudaryono emphasized that the implementation of the program should not necessitate importing milk, which could be burdensome to the country's economy.
On that note, the deputy minister proposed substituting milk with alternative sources of animal or plant proteins that can support the growth and health of children and pregnant women targeted by the program.
However, he underlined the possibility of the government gradually increasing the inclusion of milk in the program once Indonesia manages to boost its milk production rate.
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Translator: Aji C, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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